If you love to walk and hike or even trekking than Peru is the place for you to travel. The high Andean country is the perfect place for adventure tours and has many different activities to enjoy. The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is on the top of every ones Peru travel list. Around Machu Picchu, there are many hikes to experience and one of the most popular is Machu Picchu Mountain.
Machu Picchu Mountain is the less popular of the two mountains, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Tickets sell out quickly for Huayna Picchu and you need to book months in advance. Therefore, what is the difference between the mountains? The mountain Huayna Picchu is the one that appears behind Machu Picchu in most of the photos that you will see. The trails to Huayna Picchu are built on the side of the mountain can be terrifying for people afraid of heights, the trails are steep and narrow with some sections in which you will have hold security cables to balance and can be a challenge. If you suffer from vertigo or a fear of heights, it is not a great idea to overlook this tour.
However, the Machu Picchu Mountain offers a less steep alternative with wider and less terrifying ways. This trek is great for people with children or less fit people. The trails of Machu Picchu Mountain offer long period of time when you will see nobody else on the path.
Machu Picchu Mountain is situated in front of the citadel at 3061 meters above sea level and is 631 meters higher than Machu Picchu. From the top it provides unparalleled and fantastic vies of the Inca Sanctuary and the Andes surrounding Machu Picchu. How high is Machu Picchu you may be wondering? The Inca site is at an altitude of 2693 meters above sea level.
Here are some interesting facts that may help you with your Machu Picchu Mountain trek
If you do plan on doing any trekking around Machu Picchu you will need a certain level of fitness so it is a great idea to get some walking in before you leave home. You will need to take plenty of water with you as it can get warm and you will need to keep hydrated. A hat and sunscreen are necessary, as without these you will burn.
You may be thinking how to get to Machu Picchu, there are many companies in Cusco offering day tours and you will need to do your research on who you choose, but there are many things you should look for and expect on you day tour to Machu Picchu. From Cusco to Machu Picchu by train there are two options, from Poroy (that is considered Cusco) or to Ollantaytambo station in the Sacred Valley. The train will take you then you will need bus tickets that will take you to and from Aguas Calientes (which is the station below Machu Picchu), entrance into Machu Picchu and a guide for at least 2 hours. Some companies will also include lunch, which if you do not require you will need to advise, and you will get a discount. This is the minimum at tour should include, if they do not include these services look for another company.
There are many Machu Picchu Luxury tours that will include the Machu Picchu Mountain hike. You will travel by the luxury Hiram Bingham train and spend the night at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located at the gate of Machu Picchu. Tourists that stay at the Sanctuary Lodge enjoy special services that the hotel provides. Enjoy a traditional massage or a cocktail on the terrace with spectacular views of the Sacred Valley.
The town Machu Picchu is called Aguas Calietnes and is a delightful place to spend some time after your Machu Picchu tour. The little town has many hotels from back packer accommodation to some fancy five star luxury properties. Aguas Calientes is so named because of the wonderful hot springs that are just outside of town. Enjoy the soothing hot water after a day of trekking.
Be sure to book your trek to Machu Picchu Mountain on line or with your travel agent early and make sure to get fit and do some exercise before your tour to Peru, this will help with your trekking in the highlands of the Andes. Why not book your Peru adventure today, Peru waits for you with open arms and a warm smile.
Peru has many wonders waiting for you to be discovered. Here in Cusco Peru Travel, our speciality is to make your trip an outstanding experience, fill-in this form and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin.
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